Starting on March 9, New Zealand will increase the median wage to NZD 35 per hour.
On March 3 and 4, Air India flew larger Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft on routes to Dubai and Jeddah to assist returning passengers impacted by the continued difficulties in Middle Eastern airspace.
This is something you should be aware of if you intend to employ foreign workers or work in New Zealand.
The median pay in New Zealand will rise to NZD 35 per hour on March 9, 2026. Although the Accredited Employer Work Visa's general median pay rule was eliminated last year, this number is still associated with a number of visa variables. This implies that starting in March, wage thresholds will be higher.
Here's a basic explanation of what that actually implies.
What Has Changed Regarding the Work Visa for Accredited Employers?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and other related visas are impacted by the change.
The government eliminated the overall requirement requiring the majority of AEWV positions to pay the median wage back in March 2025. Employers had more freedom as a result.
But not everything was eliminated. The median pay is still a factor in several immigration regulations. These related obligations will inevitably increase if the median pay rises to NZD 35 per hour.
Therefore, the median wage is still important in important sectors even though the main wage rule is no longer in effect.
Which Immigration Settings Are Impacted?
Starting on March 9, 2026, a number of significant visa requirements will be raised.
Salary Thresholds for the Green List
Certain pay requirements apply to jobs on New Zealand's Green List. The median wage serves as the basis for these. The necessary pay level for these positions rises in tandem with the median wage.
Before submitting your application, confirm the updated pay thresholds if you are applying for a Green List position.
2. Employment Paying Twice the Median Wage
Certain positions that pay at least twice the median wage are free from advertising and certain minimal skill requirements. The twice-the-median wage will now be NZD 35 per hour under the new rate. This increases the minimum wage that firms must provide in order to be eligible for certain exemptions.
3. Five-Year Tenure in Some Lower-Skilled Positions
Certain lower-skilled workers who make at least 1.5 times the median pay may be eligible for a maximum five-year stay. The 1.5 times barrier will increase as the median pay rises. Workers who were on the verge of reaching the previous threshold may be impacted by this.
4. Income Requirements for Children and Partners
You must achieve certain income requirements in order to bring your partner or dependent children. These are connected to the median wage as well. The minimum income needed to support family members will rise on March 9, 2026. This is the most significant change for the majority of New Zealand households.
What Companies Need to Do Right Now
Now is the moment to review if you are a New Zealand-accredited employer:
Current contracts for employment
Salary proposals for prospective employees
Plans for hiring in 2026
Continued applications for visas
Visa eligibility may be impacted by even minor variations in hourly wages.
Instead than waiting until March to determine new pay levels, employers who intend to hire foreign workers under the AEWV should do so now.
Why This Continues to Change
The median pay in New Zealand is determined using data from Stats NZ, often from the June quarter. Every year, it might alter. The revised rate usually goes into effect in February or March of each year. Thus, this is not a one-time change. It is a component of the annual adjustment procedure.
The bottom line for foreign laborers
Check your hourly wage if you want to bring your family or are seeking for an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
The new standard will be NZD 35 per hour starting on March 9, 2026.
The number still influences important aspects of the immigration system even after the overall median wage criteria was eliminated in 2025. Additionally, visa regulations change as it does.
Talk to your employer as soon as possible if you are nearing a pay threshold. Your long-term plans and visa choices in New Zealand could be significantly impacted by a slight income raise.
